Hibam f



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

lHIRAM F. GAINES, OF ROUSES POINT, NEW YORK.

MAIL-BAG LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 353,300, dated November 30, 1886.

Application tiled March 20, 18%. Serial No. 195.988.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HIRAM F. GAINEs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rouses Point, in the county of Clinton and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail-Bag Locks, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention pertains to improvements in mail-pouch locks, which, while simple, cheap,

4and durable, is efficient and affords perfect security as against` the surreptitious entrance to the pouch; and the invention consists of the detailed construction and combination of parts, substantially as hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side view of a mailpouch, in part, with my lock applied thereto. Figs. 2 and 3 are views of the locks proper, each with one side of the case removed, exposing the internal mechanism, the first-named view showing the bolt retaining or locking devices in position to permit the bolt to be retracted, while the latter view shows the devices just in the reverse position, locking the bolt in its projected position. Fig. 4L is a longitudinal section taken on the line w of Fig. l, and Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on the line y y of Fig. 1.

In the embodiment of my invention I employ a ha'sp-like case, A, having an elongated narrow portion, a, which is connected at one end, preferably by a staple, to the body of the pouch B, while the circular portion a of said case has coincident slots or openings a2, one in each side, through which is passed a second staple, b, of the pouch.

Within the circular portion a of the case A, intermediately of the staple-receiving openings or slots at, is arranged to slide the bolt C, which passes through the staple b when the latter is passed through the flap of the pouch,

and through said slots or openings of the case,

as is well understood. The bolt is guided between studs c c, erected at the inner edge of one opening or slot a2, while adjacent to the shank of the bolt is erected the key spindle or pivot d, which enters the barrel of and upon which turns the key for actuating the bolt. The shank of the bolt C is reduced, and upon the said reduced shank is pivoted, adjacent to (No model.)

' the bolt proper, a dog, e, the free end of which is limited in its movement in one direction by spring, d, which, when the bolt is shot or pro- Y jected, throws the tumbler inward in alignment with the shoulderf of the bolt, which shoulder is formed by the reduction of its shank, and thus enables the tumbler to lock the bolt as against the movement of the same without the use of the key. This movement of the tumbler also brings it in contact with and moves the dog against the stop c in position for the action of the key, which, when inserted in place, and by the turning of the same in the required direction, moves the dog against the tumbler and out of alignment with ythe boltshoulder f, after and immediately following which the bit of the key will act upon the stop or projection e of the boltshank and move the bolt inward away from the slots or openings a", and thus permit ofthe liberation ofthe 'pouch and flap-staple and the opening of the pouch when it is desired to insert or remove the mail. The moment the bolt is moved inward it will receive the pressure of the tumbler, the spring of the latter now being under tension, so that upon the reverse movement of the bolt, and just as it is, shot home, the tumbler escapes therefrom and is snapped orsprung under the shoulder of said bolt for the purpose aforesaid.

The shank of the bolt is provided with a notch, g, which, together with a spring, g', secured to said bolt-shank and extending divergent-ly from the latter, limits the movement of the bolt as it is retracted or unlocked, one edge or wall of the opening in the case through which the shank of the bolt passes engaging said notch by the action of said spring. The bolt-shank is disengaged from said edge or Wall of its said opening and the action of the spring overcome by the action of the key-bit pressing laterally against saidV shank sufficiently for that purpose as the bolt is again shot or projected.

The elongated recess or opening, beneath ICO which is a chamber somewhat Wider than said opening in the ease A, is designed to permit of viewing a tag or slip placed in the chamber, disclosing the destination of the pouch.

Having 110W described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters'Patent, 1s

1. In a mail-pouch or other lock, the case having coincident openings or slots, in combination with the bolt having a shoulder formed by a reduced shank and a dog pivoted to said shank, the spring-tumbler adapted to move in alignment with the shoulder of said bolt, and means, substantially as described, for shooting and retracting the bolt, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, with the case having coincident openings or slots, of the bolt having a dog, a tumbler acted upon by said dog, said bolt also having a notch to receive the edge or wall of the opening in the case, and a divergently-projecting spring to locklor snap said bolt into engagement with said case, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. The combination, with the case having coincident openings or slots, upon the inner edge of one of which are arranged guide-studs, and the key post or stud, of the bolt having the dog and a stop therefor, which also serves to receive the action of the key-bit, and the spring-tumbler bearing upon the bolt in one part of its movement, and at the end of its movement adapted to snap or spring into alignment with a shoulder of the bolt, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination, with the case having coincident openings or slots. the bolt having a dog pivoted thereto, and a stop. for the dog, which also receives the action of the key-bit, and anotch in one end of said bolt,of the spring connected divergently thereto, and the tumbler with its spring, said tumbler bearing upon the bolt during one part of its movement, and as the bolt is shot home snapping in alignment With the shoulder of said bolt, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof l aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HIRAM F. GAINES. Witnesses:

ROBERT E. CASEY, JOHN R. MYERS. 

